Description for Hibiscus (Yellow red)

Many people who are growing a hibiscus plant choose to do so in a container. This allows them to move the hibiscus plant to ideal locations, depending on the time of year.
Hibiscus is a genus of flowering plants in the mallow family, Malvaceae. It is quite large, containing several hundred species that are native to warm-temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. Member species are often noted for their showy flowers and are commonly known simply as hibiscus, or less widely known as rose mallow.

Hibiscus plants prefer a cosy fit when growing in a container. This means that they should be slightly root bound in the pot and when you do decide to re-pot, give the hibiscus only a little bit more room. Always make sure that your growing hibiscus plant has excellent drainage.
The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, as well as woody shrubs and small trees. Flowers may be up to 6 inches diameter, with colours ranging from yellow to peach to red. Hibiscus can be planted singly or grown as a hedge plant; they can also be pruned into a single-stemmed small tree. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.
Hibiscus are deciduous shrubs with dark green leaves; the plants can grow to 15 feet tall in frost-free areas. Flowers may be up to 6 inches diameter, with colours ranging from yellow to peach to red. Hibiscus can be planted singly or grown as a hedge plant; they can also be pruned into a single-stemmed small tree.
The flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds.

Common name

Flower colours

Bloom time

Height

Difficulty

Hardy hibiscus

Yellow

July to september

2 to 3 feet

Easy to grow

Planting and care

Plant in spring, summer, or fall, spacing plants 3 to 6 feet apart. Dig a hole only as deep as the root ball and 2 to 3 times as wide. If your soil is in very poor condition, amend the soil you ve removed from the hole with a small amount of compost. Otherwise don t amend it at all.
Carefully remove the plant from the container and set it in the hole. Fill the hole half full with soil, then water it well to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets. Let the water drain, then fill the remainder of hole with soil and water thoroughly.

Sunlight

Soil

Water

Temperature

Fertilizer

Full Sun

Hibiscus want loamy but not too heavy soil. Regular quality potting soil with added compost is an ideal base.The soil should be coarse rather than fine. Watch out for soil that is mainly fine peat, it tends to compact in the pots, resulting in badly aerated roots.

For prolific flowering, hibiscus must have regular feeding every week during the growth period, March-October. Water soluble formulas can be used with every watering.Choose a fertilizer with a low phosphorous value: N (Nitrogen) 20 P (Phosphorous) 5 K (Kalium) 20 is close to ideal. Too much phosphorous makes for many fine leaves but few flowers.
Hibiscus also need trace elements, especially iron and magnesium.

Caring for Hibiscus

Many people who are growing a hibiscus plant choose to do so in a container.
This allows them to move the hibiscus plant to ideal locations, depending on the time of year.
Hibiscus plants prefer a cosy fit when growing in a container.
This means that they should be slightly root bound in the pot and when you do decide to re-pot, give the hibiscus only a little bit more room.
Always make sure that your growing hibiscus plant has excellent drainage

Typical uses of Hibiscus

Special features:

Culinary use: Chinese eat this flower by making pickle.
Jamaicans use this flower in herbal tea as it contains many minerals and vitamins
Dried hibiscus is edible, and it is often a delicacy in Mexico.
It can also be candied and used as a garnish.

Ornamental use: Na

Medicinal use: The chemicals in hibiscus flower helps in growth of hair. It reduces dandruff and makes the hair black.
The natural oil in this flower acts as a good conditioner
This flower can be used as natural dye for hair
The oil in this flower can be applied to the skin of patients who are suffering from cellulite which makes the skin to glow
The ash obtained by burning the flower and leaves of this flower can be applied to eyebrows which glazes them black
This flower can be used as shoe polish by rubbing it on the shoe.